HAPPI Awareness Week highlights the power of care-ready, age-friendly design

This week, we were pleased to mark HAPPI Awareness Week, celebrating care-ready, age-friendly housing and services. Launched by Housing LIN in 2020, the week highlights the HAPPI principles, first established 16 years ago by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Housing and Care for Older People and chaired by Lord Best, which continue to shape adaptable, attractive and sustainable homes for later life.

Across the week, we shared news, blogs, events and announcements showcasing the impact of HAPPI design, including:

• HAPPI Hour Webinar - Designing for tomorrow: Future-proof, age-friendly homes
  An end-of-year session co-chaired by Lord Best and Jeremy Porteus, bringing together Stephen Witherford of Stirling Prize–winning architects Witherford Watson Mann, alongside Fiona McLeod (resident), Nicola Waterworth (Greater Manchester Combined Authority), and Melisa Fernández Arrigoitia (University of Bristol), to explore how design and collaboration can deliver future age-friendly homes.

• An almshouse for the 21st Century – Appleby Blue, Bermondsey
  A Housing LIN guest blog by Stephen Witherford, co-founder of Witherford Watson Mann architects, examining the Stirling Prize–winning almshouse reimagined for the 21st century, blending independent living with shared, community-focused spaces.

• Moving into sheltered accommodation - A first-hand account
  Drawing on professional experience and lived reality, Fiona McLeod, a former Health Visitor and Change Agent at the Department of Health, describes the motivations, practical challenges and emotional considerations behind downsizing in this Housing LIN guest blog.

• Michaelmas Court, Thurston (opens new window)
  A 54-home Integrated Retirement Community designed to HAPPI principles and Dementia Design guidance delivered by WWA Studios for Housing 21. Supporting independence, well-being and dementia-friendly living. All homes are bright, spacious and wheelchair accessible, with private outdoor space/balconies. A landscape-led approach places generous courtyard gardens and extensive outdoor spaces at the heart of the scheme. Balancing private space, social interaction, views and access to nature, the design creates a safe, inclusive and aspirational environment for residents to age well.

• HAPPI Housing Design Award winner
  Arcadis’ Englishcombe Lane supported housing scheme won this year's Housing Design Awards HAPPI prize. With an increasing focus on designing for neurodiversity across all ages, the scheme delivers much-needed supported housing accommodations in Bath for individuals with autism, learning disabilities, and mobility issues. 

And a quick save-the-date announcement…

Housing LIN’s Annual Conference 2026 – Shaping homes for health, independence and connection will take place at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle (24 February 2026) and We The Curious in Bristol (March 2026). Registration opens in the New Year. Watch this space!